Adams was the first (ex) President to be photographed, in 1843 … though there are claims that Harrison was photographed in 1841, no proof exists.

The 6th President of the United States, 1825 – 1829

When Adams sat for this portrait, he doubted that artist George Caleb Bingham could produce “a strong likeness.” Ralph Waldo Emerson commented that the aging Adams was “like one of those old cardinals, who as quick as he is chosen Pope, throws away his crutches and his crookedness, and is as straight as a boy.”

In His Words: “Civil liberty can be established on no foundation of human reason which will not at the same time demonstrate the right of religious freedom.”

“The manners of women are the surest criterion by which to determine whether a republican government is practicable in a nation or not.”

“America does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and vindicator only of her own.”

Not true: Adams’ service to the United States became an issue in the 2012 Presidential race, 183 years after he died. Michelle Bachmann famously declared that our founding fathers “worked tirelessly to end slavery.” When journalists called Bachmann on being inaccurate, she cited John Quincy Adams as one founding father that was an example of what she meant. In spite of his unprecedented international experience at a very tender age, it does seem to stretch credibility to call him a founding father, as he was only 9 years old in 1776. It is true that he railed against slavery while serving in the House of Representatives, but he was not a steady advocate for abolition until after he was President.

True: He served in the diplomatic service at the age of 13 as the secretary to the US envoy to Russia. He later was one of the secretaries to Jefferson and Franklin, helping them draft the documents confirming US independence from Great Britian. He was barely 16.

In the 1824 Presidential election, he did not win the popular vote, nor a majority of the electoral college. Because no candidate won a majority, he was eventually selected as President by the House of Representatives. Adams had been a brilliant diplomat, but proved to be an idealistic and inflexible President. He followed his father’s unfortunate example as the 2nd President to only serve one term.

He’s the only President to serve in the House of Representatives after he left the White House.

The Official Portrait:

George Peter Alexander Healy was one of the most prolific portrait artists of his day. He painted 18 Presidents, from John Quincy Adams to Ulysses S Grant. Some of his other famous paintings were of Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, Pope Pius IX and John James Audobon.

4 responses to “Portraits: John Quincy Adams”

This is an excellent post!
I perform solo history and JQA is one of my men. See: http://www.crankyyankees.net
In John Quincy Adams: A Spirit Unconquerable! JQA sits for his portrait at one point saying:
“George Peter Alexander Healy has painted what I would be pleased to call my last portrait. He was also commissioned to paint portraits of former President Jackson and of Henry Clay. They say: Mr. Clay resembles a fox, General Jackson an old lion. In me they see a Tiger. My dear wife says it is the strongest likeness ever done of me.”